The Brussels plant, located in Forest, produces the Q8 e-tron SUV, its flagship model. From 2025 it will stop being assembled here. Uncertainty about the future of the plant, three thousand jobs at risk
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The unions were surprised after that the Audi of Brussels has confirmed that it does not plan to produce its flagship model at its Forest plant in Brussels beyond 2025.
The Belgian site produces a high-end electric car, the Q8 e-tron SUV. However, falling demand and high production costs they left the fate of the plant in uncertain hands.
Over three thousand direct jobs are at risk and several hundred subcontractors.
Audi Plant Saved Under Consideration
Plant staff did not return to work on Wednesday morning as planned, and unions believe the plan to halt production of the car model could spell the end for the factory.
Joaquin Malpica, who has worked as a logistics subcontractor at the plant since 2006, said: “I am angry about everything that is happening, angry about the decision to close the site. If only there were alternatives to keep the site, but we don’t believe that.”
Audi Brussels spokesman Peter D’Hoore said that It’s not a given that the factory will close.
“There are still several possibilities. One of these possibilities, for example, is that we are trying to integrate some projects that can be integrated here into our site. For example: we could thinking of producing parts for other factories,” D’Hoore said.
In July, Audi Brussels announced plans to restructure its Brussels site, which employs more than 3,000 people, citing lower demand for the SUVs it produces and “long-standing structural challenges.”
Volkswagen to close several plants in Germany
The German company Volkswagen, which controls the Audi brand, is Europe’s leading car manufacturerThis week, the company announced that it is considering closing several plants in Germany for the first time in its 87-year history.
The decision is part of a savings planas the company faces stiffer competition from outside Europe. Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said that “new players are entering Europe. Germany as a business location is losing ground in terms of competitiveness.”
On September 17, unions at the Brussels plant will receive further information on alternative plans for the site, including an overview of potential buyers.
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